In the meantime, he said Naiqama’s market value was “warming up” as rival clubs circled.

English club Huddersfield, coached by Nathan Brown, are one option. Brown has a close relationship with Naiqama from their days at the St George Illawarra Dragons and Mather said his client had a “very open mind” about pursuing a career overseas.

The Fijian Test captain, 28-year-old Naiqama is in career-best form.

He has played in every minute of Newcastle’s 11 games this season and is their leading point scorer with 44 from four tries and 14 goals.

He is versatile enough to play centre, wing, fullback and in the back row and is also an accomplished goalkicker.